dear

Etymology 1

From Middle English dere, from Old English dīere (“of great value or excellence, expensive, beloved”), from Proto-West Germanic *diurī, from Proto-Germanic *diurijaz (“dear, precious, expensive”). Cognate with Scots dere, deir (“of great value or worth, highly valued, precious, beloved”), Saterland Frisian djuur (“precious, dear, costly, expensive”), Dutch duur (“costly, precious”), German teuer (“costly, precious”), German Low German düür, Danish dyr (“expensive”), Swedish dyr (“expensive”), Norwegian dyr (“expensive”), Icelandic dýr (“expensive”), Yiddish טייַער (tayer, “precious,expensive”).

adj

1. (Ireland, UK) High in price; expensive.
   The dearer the jewel, the greater the love expressed.
   This water is sold for 50 cents per ton, which is not dear under the circumstances. 1902, Briquettes as Fuel in Foreign Countries (report of the United States Bureau of Foreign Commerce)
   Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear. 1966, The Beatles (lyrics and music), “When I'm Sixty-Four”
2. Loved; lovable.
   "Yes, children dear, wait a bit till it turns itself," she answered - she ought to have said "till I turn it"[.] 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 62
3. Lovely; kind.
4. Loving, affectionate, heartfelt
   Such dear embrace tenderly comforts even in this dear sorrow.
5. Precious to or greatly valued by someone.
   The dearer the giver, the dearer the trinket he brings!
6. A formal way to start (possibly after my) addressing somebody at the beginning of a letter, memo etc.
   Dear Sir/Madam/Miss, please notice our offices will be closed during the following bank holidays:[…].
7. A formal way to start (often after my) addressing somebody one likes or regards kindly.
   My dear friend, I feel better as soon as you come sit beside my sickbed!
8. An ironic way to start (often after my) addressing an inferior or someone one dislikes.
   My dear man, you ought to think twice about who you're trying to blackmail.
9. (obsolete) Noble.

noun

1. A very kind, loving person.
   My little cousin is such a dear, always drawing me pictures.
2. A beloved person.
3. An affectionate, familiar term of address, such as used between husband and wife.
   Pass me the salt, would you dear?
4. An elderly person, especially a woman.

verb

1. (obsolete) To endear.
   Nor should a Sonne his Sire loue for reward, But for he is his Sire, in nature dear’d. 1603, John Davies of Hereford, Microcosmos
   I should have known no less: It hath been taught us from the primal state That he which is was wished until he were; And the ebbed man, ne'er loved till ne'er worth love, Comes deared by being lacked. 1623, William Shakespeare, The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra
   Nay, hide him in thy house, and also show Such deared love to him, as to delight In his base company both day and night? 1679, Benjamin Keach, The Glorious Lover, page 164

adv

1. Dearly; at a high price.

intj

1. (dated) Indicating surprise, pity, or disapproval.
   Dear, dear! Whatever were they thinking?

Etymology 2

From Middle English dere (“fierce, severe, hard, deadly”), from Old English dēor, dȳr (“brave, bold; severe, dire, vehement”), from Proto-Germanic *deuzaz. Cognate with the above.

adj

1. Severe, or severely affected; sore.
2. (obsolete) Fierce.
   The Christens found the heathens dear, as the lion doth the bear.